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Community Development Fund Grant Program

Community Development Fund Grant Program

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The Community Development Fund (CDF) program offers grants for activities and projects that benefit the Knox community.

CDF grants are provided to help develop, enhance and support the many different not-for-profit community groups in Knox.

Key dates

Applications for 2025-26 will open on Friday 30 May and close at midnight on Monday 30 June 2025.

Applicants will be notified the outcome of their application by the end of October 2025.

There are a number of free community training sessions offered by Knox City Council to help support groups to learn about the Community Development Fund grant program, the application criteria and how to successfully apply and acquit a grant.

Session 1: Thursday 29 May, 7pm – 9pm (online)
Session 2: Thursday 12 June, 7pm – 9pm (online)

To book in, visit our Community training page.

Available grants

There are grants available in seven categories:

Active Ageing – up to $5,000

For activities, programs or projects that promote social connection, health and wellbeing, volunteer engagement for positive ageing in Knox.

Community Strengthening – up to $15,000

Projects or programs that strengthen Knox community through the support of a diverse range of activities, services and programs that are responsive to community need and significantly benefit the Knox community.

Cultural Celebrations & Community Events – up to $3,000

For projects, programs or events that increase awareness and understanding of diverse cultures and religions within the community and enhance social inclusion and participation for all residents of Knox.

Active Communities – up to $5,000

To assist with capacity building of sport and leisure clubs to deliver programs/projects that promote club wellbeing, diversity, inclusion, gender equity, volunteer engagement and retention.

Arts & Events – up to $15,000

To assist not-for-profit community organisations with the delivery of Community Festivals, Events & Creative Activities.

Small Equipment Grants – up to $5,000

To assist not-for-profit organisations with small, essential equipment purchases that enhance the sustainability of the organisation.

Applications will need to show a level of co-contribution for equipment only grants, with a minimum of 10% of equipment costs to be funded by the applicant.

Environment & Sustainability – up to $5,000

To assist not-for-profit community organisations with projects or purchases that support the natural environment and sustainability or supports capacity building or participation numbers of an environmental group.

Eligibility

There is specific criteria for CDF grant applications:

You can apply if

Your organisation is:

incorporated not-for-profit community groups, with a managing committee or similar, and have own legal identity, or
auspiced (or managed) by an incorporated organisation if a group is not incorporated.

And your activity or project does:

have a definitive start and finish date
align with Council objectives
aim to meet a demonstrated need within the Knox community
benefit Knox residents.

We consider projects such as:

buying equipment for community groups
creating recreation, leisure and/or social support activities to keep people connected
cultural events and activities that celebrate and promote diversity and a positive sense of belonging and inclusion
arts and cultural development activities that encourage community participation
implementing strategies that assist people with a disability
supporting and celebrating the contribution of volunteers
encouraging participation in lifelong learning and skills development
assisting in community safety strategies through community information and involvement
developing collaboration and partnership amongst community organisations to share resources and build community connection
programs, projects and activities that promote social connection and health and wellbeing for positive ageing
projects that support the natural environment and biodiversity.

You cannot apply if

You are an:

individual or profit-making business
organisation that is not incorporated or supported by an incorporated body
organisation that has outstanding acquittal documentation for previous Council grants.

Or your application is for:

ongoing or operational funding
projects primarily for capital works or building upgrade/improvement
fundraising activities
covering purchases or costs that have already been incurred
projects that have been funded by CDF for three consecutive years unless significant community need can be demonstrated.

Examples of funded projects

Past Community Development Funded projects include:

You can also watch stories of previous funded projects.

Applying for a CDF grant

There are several steps involved in the process:

Expand all

Before you apply

Before applying for a CDF grant, we recommend organisations:

discuss your application with Council’s Community Partnerships team
ensure all relevant people within the organisation are informed and committed to the project and applying for a grant
ensure the organisation and project or event meet the eligibility criteria
attend an information session or book an appointment with the Partnerships team.

Pre-application discussion

Whether you have previously received a CDF grant, or you are submitting for the first-time, you are strongly advised to discuss your proposed application with Council’s Community Partnerships team.

To make an appointment contact the team on 9298 8000.

The team can also advise about other Council staff and stakeholders who may be able to provide appropriate information on service delivery and/or alternative approaches in relation to a proposed project.

Apply for a grant

Applications are completed online via the user-friendly SmartyGrants system. We suggest you do not leave electronic lodgement to the last moment to avoid any unanticipated technical difficulties or unforeseen errors with your application form that will prevent submission.

Late applications will not be accepted. Incomplete or imprecise applications may disadvantage you in the assessment process.

Apply now

Organisations may submit up to 3 applications for separate and distinct projects and events. A separate application form is required for each application.

Documents required as part of your application include:

Public Liability Insurance Certificate of Currency
Financial Income and Expenditure Report / Balance Sheet
Annual Report
Evidence of Current Legal Status

Assessment and approval

Eligible applications are assessed by the Community Development Fund Evaluation Panel in July 2025.

The Panel will make recommendations for consideration by Council at its October Council meeting.

Applications are assessed on the following criteria:

Clear demonstration of community need and proposed project objectives – 30%
The capacity of the organisation applying for the grant to deliver the project and manage the grant – 25%
The degree to which the project is shown to have a clear financial need, is feasible and financially viable – 20%
The level of benefit to Knox residents – 15%
Demonstration of consultation and partnership with others – 10%

Notification of application outcome

All submitting organisations will be notified of the outcome of their applications by end of October 2025.

Funding agreements

Successful applicants must enter into a formal funding agreement consistent with the approved grant to ensure that both parties are clear of their roles and responsibilities. The agreement will clearly define accountability of the funded organisation for the achievement of agreed outcomes and will specify terms and conditions for effective project delivery and protection of public funds.

Where an organisation is auspiced for the purposes of the grant, the auspice organisation is also required to sign the funding agreement. The period of the funding agreement will be for a maximum of 12 months.

Funded organisations need to supply the following documentation:

Insurance Certificate of Currency
Child Safety Statutory Declaration
Statement by Supplier Declaration (if an organisation doesn't have an ABN)
Evidence of Current Incorporation Status
Evidence of Current Registration for a Company Limited by Guarantee.

Payment of grants

Grant monies will be paid by electronic funds transfer (EFT) to the funded organisation, or their auspice organisation, if applicable.

Monies will only be paid into the account of the organisation or legal entities, and not into an individual's account.

Receipt of a grant payment is subject to the provision of a signed funding agreement, compliance with any specific grant conditions and, if applicable, satisfactory reporting of previous grants.

GST will be included with grant allocations if applicable.

Funded projects must be completed within 12 months from November 2025.

Monitoring and evaluation

At the end of the project, a Project Acquittal Report must be completed, including a financial statement and a brief report about the project's outcomes. This report must be submitted within 3 months of project completion, or within 12 months from receipt of grant funds, whichever is earlier, via the SmartyGrants portal.

The information will also assist Council to understand the impact the Community Development Fund has upon the Knox community and can be used to inform the future of the program.

For more information on how to complete your acquittal, download the acquittal fact sheet.

If your application is unsuccessful

After the October Council meeting, an email will be sent to the contact person for each unsuccessful application notifying them of the outcome.

The decision of Council is final, however groups are encouraged to seek feedback by contacting the Community Partnerships team and make further applications in the future.

Your privacy

As part of the Information Privacy Act Statement of Consent, Council collects information from CDF Grants applicants for the purpose of registering and administering grant applications for the specified funding period.

The information may also be used to send you information and to ascertain satisfaction with our services. The information will not be disclosed except as required by law. In particular, the information will not be disclosed to others for marketing purposes.

Learn about other grants

Council runs information sessions for community groups to learn about different funding options. Contact the Community Partnerships Team for session schedules and help with finding out which grant best suits your organisation, group or club needs.

More information

You may find the following information and templates useful:

Need help?

Email [email protected] and we will get back to you.

We aim respond to enquiries about Council grants within 3 business days.

Or call the Community Partnerships Team on 9298 8000.